Need some help from the 80 crowd - What springs for my 45 body on 80 frame? (1 Viewer)

[UZJ40]

Hey 80 fellas, need some help -

I know there are countless discussions on suspension pertaining to 80s, but I'm looking for some advice on what springs to put on my 80 frame with a 45 body on it and iForce 5.7 3UR.

It weighs right at 4,600 lbs with full fuel and spare tire. That's about 200 - 1,000 less than most 80s I see posted on here.

Right now I'm on stock springs with Bilstein shocks. It rides really nice, but it's on the harder side of an OEM 80 ride, I think mostly because of the reduced weight.

I'm currently running 37s. The bump stops have been extended to avoid body contact.

I like the low and squatty look it has, but I'd like some more up travel, so I'm thinking about a 1-2" lift.

I definitely don't want to add firmness. I do worry that any aftermarket spring won't be as soft as OEM.

Do I just add spacers? Any great suggestions? I did call Dobisons and on their lightest duty 1-2" spring, they are months on backorder.

Thank you for any input!

 

[Ragnaroek]

As far as I know, LX450 OEM springs are softer than 80 series ones. So maybe stock Lexus springs with 1,5" spacers?

Which Bilstein shocks do you run? A lot of them are known be really stiff to match stronger aftermarket springs. So i'd go for either adjustable shocks or OEM replacement shocks with spacers (since your have longer bumpstops anyway) with a light vehicle like yours.

You won't gain any "real" uptravel with spacers only, but in your case more of the overall travel will become usable because your tires get some more room to move upwards.

 

[77mustard40]

I think I’d start with spacers to find the height you are happy with and then try to figure out shocks. Agree that adjustable shocks will let you dial in ride but then there’s the cost. Maybe plow the suspension thread looking for user complaints about suspensions that are too soft to see what springs might work once you’ve found the right height. Maybe some worn springs as well. Most 80’s seem to get real heavy as people build them up as opposed to light. A longer spring will help with up and down travel

Love that rig!

 

[cruzinfj1]

There are a couple different factory springs throughout the years, and they are paint coded. I don't have a link for you, but I know that I have seen a write up on here about them. Thing is, they're all 30ish years old....

That being said, I have a set of 2.5" Tough Dog springs that I got through a vendor here, and I couldn't be happier with them. They are soft/flexy, but still are firm enough for the road also. Kinda apples to oranges, but I have a bone stock '94 also, and they ride very similar. I've never scaled mine, but I try to keep it on the lighter side. Meaning, tools and bare necessities, no RTT, sleep platform/drawers, etc.

 

[Tank5]

We have similar builds but my 45 is a little heavier at 5740lbs. I went through a number of springs starting with stock before ending up with a OME progressive stock height spring in the front and OME 2.5” spring in the rear with Dobinson spacers to get level. I would like to try a progressive rate spring in the rear but what I have is working just fine, I just wonder if it could be better. I did splurge on adjustable reservoir 2.5 shocks which I think help too.

Like others suggested I would dial the height you want in with spacers first. It seams any spring that would give you more height is going to be stiffer. I would consider the progressive rate springs.